“Japanese designers usually begin with traditions, family-owned businesses and brands with stories that really resonate with me,” Sritharan says.

The store is arranged around a poured-concrete table, with plywood panelling adding warmth. Industrial features – concrete beams, a steel-lined ceiling, and earthquake bracing – are left exposed.

Sritharan hopes the store is a natural fit for its city. “We have such a strong culture and appreciation of design in Wellington, and I wanted to reflect that in a retail space for well-designed goods,” he says.

“In a way it’s almost trying to resemble what Wellington does so well in restaurants and cafes, applying the same level of integrity and focus.”